The girl's mother told police that her car was stolen from a gas station near 44th St. and Kalamazoo Ave. with Jaionna inside. The vehicle was found shortly after that call, but the child was not inside.

A search for the girl was launched, and included officers from the GRPD, the Michigan State Police, the FBI, CPS, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

After Jaionna was found with a family member, she was taken into police custody. Follow-up interviews with the mother eventually led to the discovery that she had made up the story about her car being stolen and Jaionna's abduction. There is no known motive for this at this time.

Criminal charges may arise from the incident. It has been presented to the Kent County Prosecutor's Office for consideration.